Concept explainers
How did Miller’s classic experiment relate to the origin of life?
To explain: The way in which the classic experiment by Miller relates to the origin of life.
Introduction: In 1953, Scientist Stanley Miller and Harold Urey set up an experiment with conditions resembling those present on the early Earth. The possibility of organic compound formation was investigated under simulated conditions in this experiment.
Explanation of Solution
Organic molecules were synthesized from inorganic molecules in the classic experiment of by two scientists Harold Urey and Stanley Miller. They used a mixture of gases such as hydrogen, methane, ammonia, and water vapor in his experiment and passed sparks through this mixture of gases. This experiment is commonly known as Urey-Miller experiment. A number of compounds were identified in the mixture; many of them were found to be organic compounds. The result of the classic experiment denotes the formation of macromolecules from micromolecules.
In Urey–Miller experiment, organic molecules, such as amino acids from nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and other inorganic elements were synthesized. This simulated the physical and chemical conditions at the time of origin of life billions of years ago.
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Study Guide for Campbell Biology
- What is the most logical theory on the topic of the Origin of Life?arrow_forwardWhy is the Miller experiment important even though it did not create life nor did it duplicate the conditions of Earth’s early atmosphere?arrow_forwardBased on the Origin of Life by John H. McClendon, what are the implications of each of his theories?arrow_forward
- How did life first begin on Earth?arrow_forwardWhat were the roles of new thoughts/ideas regarding the universe and new developments in the Scientific Revolution to the development of science and technology?arrow_forwardBased on the Origin of Life by John H. McClendonn, which of his theories is the most plausible?arrow_forward
- What experimentation has been done on finding the source or raw material for the first life on earth? WhT has been discovered and by who?arrow_forwardWhat are the Stages of the origin of life. ?arrow_forwardIn 1901, Wilhelm Röntgen was the first person to win the Nobel Prize for physics. For what discovery did he win?arrow_forward
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